PETALING JAYA: Lawyers and rights activists have again called for a special commission to address police misconduct, in the wake of the confirmation that police were to blame for the death in custody of S Balamurugan last year.

They said that only an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) can address the issue.

Lawyer M Visvanathan said no suspects should die in lock-ups during an investigation, as they are innocent until proven guilty in court.

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) might not have the “teeth” to prosecute those who have abused detainees or who caused the deaths of those in custody. However, despite its lack of prosecution powers, the EAIC has done some excellent work in recommending actions to be taken against police officials who have abused their power and those who have engaged in serious misconduct.

Whether the government will act on the recommendations to check or discipline members of the police force guilty of abusing power remains to be seen. However, if the past is any indication of what is to come, the government might have little political interest in disciplining members of the police force.

Given this situation, the setting up of an Independent Police Conduct and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) cannot be delayed any further. The EAIC needs to be complemented by an agency that has independent powers of prosecution.

Law enforcement corruption destroys enforcement agencies, the criminal justice system, government and society.

There are many types of law enforcement corruption. Let’s look at some of the most common forms. In the context of law enforcement corruption, bribery is giving or receiving any item of value to influence an officer from taking legitimate action.

Extortion is also somewhat common and is similar to bribery. Extortion is threatening someone to obtain money, property or sexual favours. Here, an officer might threaten to have someone falsely prosecuted if that person doesn’t pay the officer. Extortion always involves a threat. Read more →

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